SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of North Dakota men's tennis team was selected sixth in the Summit League preseason men's tennis poll according to the league head coaches, league officials announced Wednesday. Returning players Johnatan Parat was also honored by the league, earning Preseason Athlete to Watch recognition after a 10-0 season in singles play last season.
Denver, who look to take home their sixth regular season title in eight years, totaled 25 points and received five of the six possible first-place votes. The 2019 league tournament champion Drake, picked up the No. 2 spot with a total of 21 points and the remaining first-place vote.
Omaha was picked to finish third with 14 points with Illinois State and Oral Roberts picking up 11 votes apiece to tie for fourth. North Dakota rounded out the poll collecting 8 total points. The 2020 Summit League Men's Tennis Championship was cancelled due to the pandemic.
2021 SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN'S TENNIS PRESEASON POLL
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Team
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Score (1st place votes)
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1.
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Denver
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25 (5)
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2.
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Drake
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21 (1)
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3.
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Omaha
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14
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T-4.
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Illinois State
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11
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T-4.
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Oral Roberts
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11
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6.
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North Dakota
|
8
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2021 Summit League Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
Matt Summers, Denver
Sr | Maidstone, U.K.
- Ranked 21st in the Oracle/ITA Division I doubles rankings with partner James Davis on Feb. 5
- Recorded a 7-5 doubles record at the No. 1 spot in the lineup in the shortened 2019-20 season
- Finished a 10-2 overall record going 7-2 at the No. 1 spot and 3-0 at No. 2
Oliver Johansson, Drake
So | Gothenburg, Sweden
- Owned a 9-5 record in singles play, leading the Bulldogs in wins in dual action
- Posted a 5-4 record at the No. 1 singles spot in the lineup
- Finished 8-8 in doubles competition primarily at the No. 1 spot
- Has wins over four nationally ranked singles opponent.
Matt Hulme, Omaha
Sr | Brisbane, Australia
- Earned first doubles ranking in program history with a No. 78 ranking on March 4
- Ranked 97th in singles play in the final ITA rankings of the fall
- Finished 6-5 in singles and 4-4 in doubles action during the 2019-20 season
- Played all eight matches at No. 1 doubles
Min-Chieh Chiu, Illinois State
Fr | Taiwan
- Singles finalist in the Taiwan National Championships '20
- Has had an ITF ranking of 400
- Has wins over top 1000 ATP
Johnatan Parat, North Dakota
Sr | Metz, France
- Led the Fighting Hawks with a 10-0 record in singles play
- Went 7-0 from the No. 5 position and 3-0 from the No. 4 spot last season
- Became the first player in program history to finish a season undefeated (min. four wins)
Volodymyr Zakharov, Oral Roberts
Fr | Odessa, Ukraine
- Has a 12.35 universal tennis rating
- Went 7-1 in the fall for Oral Roberts
